Certified Medication Aide

The Certified Medication Aide (CMA) safely administers authorized medications to residents of an Ohio-licensed residential care facility (assisted living) under the supervision of a registered nurse, or a licensed practical nurse acting at the direction of a registered nurse. The CMA follows current physician or other authorized prescriber orders, the medication administration record (MAR), Ohio law, Board of Nursing rules, and facility policies while promoting each resident's dignity, privacy, choice, and independence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Administer only those medications and routes permitted for an Ohio CMA and specifically assigned by the supervising nurse, including authorized oral, topical, eye/ear/nose, rectal/vaginal, and fixed pre-measured inhaled medications.

Administer PRN and initial-dose medications within the CMA scope and facility procedures; promptly communicate resident status, outcomes, and concerns to the supervising nurse.

Administer Schedule II controlled medications only by permitted oral or topical routes and in strict accordance with facility controlled-substance procedures and nurse supervision.

Administer insulin by injection only through an insulin pen with a dosage indicator after completing employer-established training and competency validation and when assigned by the supervising nurse.

Follow medication-safety practices, including verifying the correct resident, medication, dose, route, time, indication/order, allergies, expiration date, and required precautions before administration.

Immediately document each medication administered and any resident refusal accurately in the MAR; never pre-chart, omit required documentation, or falsify a record.

Immediately report medication errors or omissions, MAR discrepancies, refusals, adverse or unexpected reactions, changes in condition, and other resident concerns to the supervising nurse; complete required incident documentation.

Observe the resident taking the medication by the prescribed route and monitor for readily apparent response or intolerance, referring assessment and clinical judgment to the nurse.

Prepare, secure, store, count, and dispose of medications and medication supplies in accordance with pharmacy instructions, manufacturer directions, facility policy, and applicable law.

Use only properly labeled medications and the medication delivery system approved by the facility; maintain security of medication carts, rooms, keys, access codes, and records.

Maintain infection-prevention practices, hand hygiene, clean equipment, and a safe medication-administration environment.

Provide permitted resident-care assistance when not engaged in or scheduled for medication administration, without accepting assignments that interrupt or conflict with a safe medication pass.

Participate in shift report, care conferences as requested, medication reviews, audits, competency evaluations, quality-improvement activities, and required education.

Protect resident confidentiality; maintain professional boundaries; and treat every resident with courtesy, dignity, respect, and recognition of individual preferences.

Report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, misappropriation, unsafe practices, or policy violations immediately in accordance with law and facility policy.

Perform other duties within certification, demonstrated competency, and facility policy as assigned.

Scope Limitations

The CMA shall not:

Receive, transcribe, change, or independently interpret a medication order; independently assess a resident; make a nursing diagnosis; or alter a treatment plan.

Administer medications requiring dosage calculations; oxygen; investigational or unapproved drugs; medications through feeding tubes; intravenous medications; or injections other than permitted insulin-pen injections.

Split pills to change the dose, administer medications to pediatric residents, administer medications without required nurse supervision, or assign medication administration to another person.

Perform any task prohibited by Ohio law, Board of Nursing rules, the supervising nurse, the resident's plan of care, or facility policy.

Required Qualifications

Current, active Ohio Certified Medication Aide certificate in good standing; employee must use/display the title 'Certified Medication Aide' or 'CMA' while administering medications.

Meets all applicable Ohio residential-care-facility personnel requirements, including criminal-record checks and registry or exclusion screening.

Successful completion of facility orientation, medication-system training, skills validation, and ongoing competency requirements before independent assignment.

Current first aid and CPR certification if required by the facility, resident population, or assigned duties.

Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English sufficiently to follow orders, labels, MAR entries, safety instructions, and emergency procedures.

Demonstrated accuracy, dependability, professional judgment within scope, respectful communication, and ability to recognize and report changes promptly.

Preferred Qualifications

High school diploma or GED.

One year of experience in assisted living, long-term care, memory care, or a related setting.

Experience with electronic MAR systems and pharmacy medication-delivery systems.

Supervision and Working Relationships

Medication administration is supervised by an RN or by an LPN acting at the direction of an RN. In an Ohio residential care facility, the supervising nurse may be on-site or immediately and continuously available by telecommunication. The CMA works collaboratively with residents, families, nurses, resident assistants, prescribers, pharmacy personnel, and other members of the care team. This position has no authority to delegate medication administration.